Wellbeing
Positive Behaviours for Learning
At SFS, our PBL (Positive behaviours for learning) school wide expectations are:
Respect,
Responsibility and
Kindness
This week the teachers and students have continued to focus on Kindness: Encourage and support others. The children have practiced skills that would help them if they were being bullied or saw someone else being bullied.
Here are some photos of children who won the raffle last Friday for demonstrating our school expected behaviours.
Student Representative Council
The SRC have organised a basketball/netball tournament to happen before the end of term 3. The students have been allowed to share their school improvement ideas in their space SRC box.
Many children were asking for more of a focus on netball and basketball in the school. In response to this, the SRC organsied a tournament for the junior students that the seniors came out to watch, and cheer on the students. They are also organizing some 2 lunchtime clubs for Netball (juniors) and basketball (seniors) that will happen before the end of the term.
We look forward to some new SRC reps being chosen in Term 4 to share their ideas and have a voice and a say in decisions at school.
Next week, the week beginning Sunday 1st September is National Child Protection week.
In 2024, the National Child Protection Week message that ‘Every child in every community needs a fair go’ will be complemented with the theme ‘Every conversation matters’.
Conversations are powerful tools to keep children and young people safe and well.
Conversations can help us understand issues, craft solutions, value community knowledge, and build the brains and social connections of children and young people.
Conversations between
…children and their caregivers matter (from the very earliest days)
…children and their peers matter
…families with teachers, doctors, and other professionals matter
…friends or neighbours matter
…decision-makers and the communities they serve matter.
So this National Child Protection Week we invite you to speak up – and speak together – about what needs to change for every child in every community to have a fair go.
This theme provides a platform to:
- engage in important conversations,
- promote the value of conversations, and
- equip us to have conversations that keep kids safe.
Let’s use this theme to explore and talk about the many ways that conversations matter for children, young people and their families.
Mark the date for National Child Protection Week 2024 (1-7 September) and stay tuned for more information.
R U OK day - Thursday 12th September
This is an important day to remind everyone to stay connected and make asking, ‘are you OK?’ a part of our everyday. That way if someone we know is struggling with something big or small they’ll know we care.
When we genuinely ask, ‘are you OK?’ and are prepared to talk to them about how they’re feeling and what’s going on in their life we can help someone who might be struggling feel connected and supported, long before they’re in crisis. You don’t need to be an expert to ask someone, ‘are you OK?’.
Try and make time for regular chats about life’s ups and downs so you can build trust. That way when someone is struggling they’ll know you care and will feel comfortable opening up to you.
It also helps to choose the right time and place for a meaningful conversation.
• On breaks from work or study
• When exercising together
• When connecting or doing activities together online
• When you’re spending time together socially
• When you’re doing an activity side-by-side
• When you’re sharing a meal
• When you’re travelling together, even a short trip can be a good time to talk.
We’ll be sharing information and resources to help you ask, ‘are you OK?’ and meaningfully connect with the people in your world. We’ll also be: Ask R U OK? because a conversation could change a life. If you need immediate crisis or emotional support you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 .
R U OK? is a national charity dedicated to inspiring all of us to have regular, meaningful conversations to support anyone going through a difficult time. You can learn more at ruok.org.au
If you have any concerns about the mental health or wellbeing of your child, please do not hesitate to contact me.
I am available to speak to at school, via the phone or email on
rlenko@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au
Rachel Lenko
Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader